A Paper on the Analysis of the Novels City of the Beasts and The Good Earth - Essay Example

Running Head: Comparative Analysis of Two Novels A Paper on the Analysis of the Novels of the Beasts and The Good Earth In APA Style University Introduction The novels that are written by different literary authors mirror the different scenarios and events in the culture and society. For that matter, the study of the messages conveyed and the meanings of the literary works such as novels can be considered important in the understanding of the history of human civilization. The in depth analysis of novels written can then be considered as an important evidence of cultural anthropology. In the study undertaken, the main focus is the comparative analysis of two novels namely the City of the Beasts which is written by Isabel Allende and The Good Earth which is written by Pearl S. Buck. Through the course of the study, the presentation of the corresponding similarities between the said novels in terms of different points presented is one of the major objectives that are achieved. Specifically, the study is aimed to discuss the representative role of the novels in terms of the study of cultural anthropology of the human culture. The Plots of the Novels The plots of the two novels represent important and significant events that are comparable to the scenarios in real life. To be able to present a comparative analysis, the similarities of the plots are presented. The main concentration of the study is the connection and interaction of the human population to the components of nature and environment. The City of the Beasts is a story that discusses and presents the life of the people that are in close interaction to the different components of the natural environment. The lesson that are taught and the messages that are conveyed have been presented in a language that can easily be understood. The story is about a boy, Alexander Cold, who learned the difference between the ways of life in the suburban and the rural environment. The novel follows the adventure of the kid from the urban to the village environment in the Amazon in which he has to adapt to. Similar to the prejudice on the tone that the book commonly receives, the story although simple in plot develops into a story which is representative of the issues and dilemmas that is very real in the society specifically in terms of the dependence to the elements of nature and culture (Allende, 2002). On the other hand, another important literary piece that can be considered as an important contribution to the cultural anthropology and the study of human interaction with nature is the novel written by Pearl S. Buck, The Good Earth. The story revolves in the life of Wang Lung who is a worker for a wealthy Chinese family who owns lands and is involved in a number of illegal activities. Due to the aim to change his life he sold his properties except his land and went to the city with his family. Upon discovering that the life in the city is very different from that in the village they wanted to return to their land. Prior to the said return strife occur and a rich man in need asked for help in exchange for riches. Wang Lung then became rich and was able to buy properties and became a merchant. He then came to discover the different problems involved in being rich (Buck, 19310. Although the two novels deal with different plots, there is a number of corresponding points that are related to the important lesson that are needed to be learned in relation to the human culture and interaction with the environment. Comparative Analysis In terms of the human nature, there are different points that are presented in the two novels. The said points are inclusive of the concepts of cultural anthropology which are the human culture and effects of the components of nature which include social and physical environments. Cultural Identity One of the concepts that are presented in the two novels is the natural characteristics of humans which are included in the human culture and identity. In the City of the Beasts, there are different groups and human characteristics that can be observed. One is the urban nature of the main character, Alexander Cold that is very different from the environment in the Amazon. On the other hand, the people in the mist represent another group that is highly interactive with the natural environment and exhibiting a serious commitment and respect to the Beasts and other components of nature. In the novel The Good Earth, there same presentation of the distinct differences in culture between the village and the urban people can be observed. As it was noted, the main character even observed that although living in the same country, there are so many differences in the ways of life. These can also be attributed in the socio-economic stratification that can be considered to divide the human population. In relation to the said differences in human culture, the people are needed to adapt to changes and new culture once they move to another place, environment or social group. This is one of the basic human nature that can be observed in the study of cultural anthropology. Adaptation to a New Environment The two novels presented the capability of human beings to adapt to a new and considerable foreign environment. This can be a challenge specifically upon the early stages, but due to the fact that humans are highly social and interactive, such events are recognized as a way of life. The challenges provoked by the need to adapt are also presented in the two novels under study. In the City of the Beasts, the initial challenge in searching for his grandmother, Alexander Cold, had experienced difficulties. Although still in the urban environment, the said place wherein he is not accustomed to presented a number of challenges. The said trials even continued specifically in the Amazon jungle. But the capability to adapt had been achieved when he learned to appreciate the way pf life and accepted the importance of the native culture of the people in the said place. In the novel The Good Earth, the same need to adapt and face hardships can be observed specifically when the family of Wang Lung moved to the urban community which is very different to the life that they had known in the village. They were able to similarly exhibit the capability of people to adapt. The said characteristic of the human beings to adapt to a new environment is an important form of survival through different forms of adversities. It can also be considered as one of the reasons for being an influential species in the face of earth. Interaction with the Natural Environment Due to the fact that the nature is the main source of the basic needs of people for survival, one of the most important interactions of human beings is that with nature. The said interaction can clearly be observed in the two novels that are under study. The recognized dependence of the people of the mist in their natural environment is one of the examples of the interaction of the human in the natural environment that can be found in the novel City of the Beasts. One of the important scenarios that climaxed the lessons that are needed to be learned in the said novel is the newfound dedication of the exploration group that includes the main character to protect the beasts and their natural environment instead of exposing and studying them. Through the said scene, the novel was able to convey the importance of having respect to other organisms to be able to have a harmonious relationship with nature. In the novel The Good Earth, the main lesson is that the product of hard work and caring for the land can improve the way of life. Although, the said belief can be criticized on the basis of reality of life, the Chinese culture is founded on the cultural belief of positive retribution for the good deeds that are performed in both self and others. In addition, such belief can also take the form of the gift of nature to the people who can take care of the environment and live in a sustainable way of life. In the said terms, the village life can be considered less hazardous than that in an urban setting. For that matter, in both novels the morale of the stories can be found in living in the village and in close interaction with the natural physical environment. The lessons that can be learned in plots that explore the importance of nature can be considered significant in the continuous quest of the consciousness of the human population to save and conserve nature and the diversity of life. Conclusion Based on the study undertaken, the two novels can be perceived as a positive mirror of the capabilities of human beings to learn and appreciate nature and culture. While teaching a lesson on having positive interaction with the natural physical environment and the social environment, the two novels also represent an appreciation of the hard work that human beings exert to be able to continuously thrive in a complex environment. The message conveyed by the two novels in relation to the true nature of men can be considered as their main contribution to cultural anthropology. In addition, the fact that they mirror the experiences and dilemmas in life makes them achieve the empathy that they need from the audience. These are the main reasons for the recognition achieved by the novels in the literary and historical communities. References Allende, I. (2002) City of the Beasts. USA: HarperCollins Publishers Inc. Barnard, A. and Spencer, J. (1996). Encyclopedia of Social and Cultural Anthropology. Taylor & Francis. Buck, P. S. (1931) The Good Earth. Amazon Remainders Account. Ferraro, G. P. (2005). Cultural Anthropology: An Applied Perspective. Wadsworth. Read More